Vibratory drying conveyer



Oct. 5, 1937. J. A. FLINT 2,094,786

V I BRATORY DRY ING CONVEYER Filed June 1s, 1955 7 sheet-sheet 1 VEA/TOF: James A. /C7/'n7 ATT'Y Oct. 5,' 1937. J. A. FLINT VIBRATORY DRYING coNvEYER Filed June 18., 1935 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 /V VEN TOR.

'T Sheets-Shea?I 3 J. A. FLINT VIBRATORY DRYING CONVEYER Filed June 18, 1935 BY wmf* 7n .W4/JAM) ATTY Oct. 5, 1937. J. A. FLlN-r VIBRATORY DRYING CONVEER Filed June 18, 1955 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 ||||||||Lmw I I /NVE/vToR: James A F//n 7j' ATTY Oct. 5, 1937. J. A. FUN-ry v52,094,786?

VIBRATORY DRYING CONVEYER Filed June 18, lpss 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 /NVE/v TOR: James ///fn www? m/abbw ATTY Oct. 5, 1937. J.. A. PUNT VIBRATORY DRYING CONVEYER Filed June 18,l 1955 7 sheets-sheet e '//v VEN TOR: dames A. F//n 7j v BY @6m/M IM 72W.

Oct. 5, 1937. J, A. FLINT VIBRATORY DRYING CONVEYER Y m NNW 5w@ m. W w m. @Mmowmommm T A w u ons N Y W ,m E A, m w W S Um v Maw, .Kvm .m m w Filed June 18, 1935 v Patented Oct. 5, 1937 James A. runt. columbus. ohio, assigner to The Traylor Vibrator Company. va corporation of Colorado Application ma 1s. 1935. serial Np. ,21,2131

5 Claims.

. 'I'his invention relates toa vibratory drying conveyer, particularly of the type adapted to dry granular materials, examples of which are coal, salt, Glauber salt and chemical salts.

An object of the invention is to provide an igmproved drying system'and method which will dry granular material in a vminimum length of time.

A more specic object .of the invention is to provide a vibratory drying conveyer for granular material which will -be effective vto expose the whole surface of each grain o1' the granular material to the drying action of hot gas, such as hot air, so that said granular material may be dried in a minimum length of time.

Other objects ot the invention will appearhereinafter, the novel features and` combinations ibeing setforth in the appended claims.

Fig. 1 is an elevational view of an installation comprising my invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the vibratory drying conveyer comprising my invention;

Figs. 3 and 4, placed end to end, comprise an enlarged side elevational view of the vibratory drying conveyer comprising my invention;

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the vibratory motor of my vibratory drying conveyer takehon the line 5-'5of Fig. 3 looking in the` direction of the arrows;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional detailed view taken on the line 6-8 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged transverse elevational sectional view taken on the line 1 1 of`Flg. 2

looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 8 is a plan view showing thedeck and the air conduits of the vibratory drying ccnveyer of my invention;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged detailed end view showing the resilient mounting means of the vibratory drying conveyer of my invention;

Fig; 10 is a side elevational view of a `modified form of vibratory drying conveyer comprising my invention;

Fig. 11 is a transverse sectional elevational view taken on the line 'I I--II of Fig. 10 looking inthe direction oi.' the arrows; o

Figs. 12 to 21, inclusive, show various forms of deck coverings which may be employed with the vibratory drying conveyer comprising my invention;

Fig. 12 :is a plan view of one form of deck covering;

Fig. 13 is a longitudinal sectional view taken i .on the line |3`I3 of Fig. 12 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 14 is`a transverse sectional view takenfon .(01. ca asy the line Irl--Hl of Fig. 12 looking 0f the arrOiYS'; I f

1 5 isa plan view of `another form of deck covering: y

'161s a longitudinal sectional View taken on the line lf3-,l5 'Olf Fig. 1'5;

' Fig. 117 yiS a transverse sectional view taken on the `line `Il---ll of Fig. 1-5;

Fig. A18'is a plan view which may fairly represent either of two ydeck coverings; l

Fig. 19 is `l`a longitudinal sectional view taken on :the lline [Sr-I9 of Fig. 18 illustrating one form of deck covering;

Fig. 2.0 `is a longitudinal sectional view taken on the vline 1.3-1901 Fig. 18 showing another form ycgfde'ck covering;

Fig. 2iis aplan view of deck covering comprisinge` perforated .-plate;

Fig.'22 isfalplan view of a deck covering comprising spaced corrugated plates;

.Fig. 23 .is fa longitudinal sectional .view taken on the 'line l23---23 of Fig.l 22 looking in the direction ofthe arrows; and

Fig. `2l1'is `a transverse sectional view taken on the line .2l-29 of Fig. 23 looking inthe direction of the arrows.

Referring particularly to Fig. 1 of the drawings, thereis disclosed an installation comprising the dryinggsystem of my invention. This installation comprises a vibratory drying conveyer A Whichis supplied with a hot ,drying gas, such as hot air, from a furnace B by means of appropriate conduits and a blower C which may be of the centrifugal type. Hot air is extracted from the in the direction vfurnaceB by the blower Cand by said blower C and appropriate conduits delivered to the vibratory drying conveyer .A where it is employed to `vdry granular material carried vby said drying con- 'veyerrA,iaiter which 'the airis discharged through a conduit `D or, if desired, it may be returned by theconduitDto :the furnace B.

'Referring more particularly to Figs. 2, 3, 4; '7 and 8,I it is seen that the vibratory drying convve'yer r.A comprises a .deck chute 30 having side walls :31j anda bottom 32. As best seen in Fig. 7, extending. longitudinally of the deck chute 3D and `projecting upwardly .from the bottom 32 is `adividing plate 33 which is effective to divide the lower portion of the deck chute 30 into two longitudinally extending compartments. At spaced intervals along the deck chute 30, there are also provided Vtransversely extending plates 36 (Figs. 3 and 4) which perform the double function of dvidingthe deck intocells or sub-compartments kIll and135.a`ndlof supporting transversely extending screen cloth clamping means 31. It will thus be seen that the longitudinal plate 33 and the transverse plates 36 divide the lower portion of the deck chute 33 into a plurality of individual cells or sub-compartments 34 and 35.

Extending transversely of the deck chute 33 between the side walls 3| and rigidly attached to said side walls 3|, as by welding, is a plurality of screen cloth or bottom plate supports 33. These transverse supports 38 may comprise inverted hollow bars and, in the case where a screen cloth is employed, said bars may be covered with heat ,Y resisting cushion means to minimize screen clothv wear.

Supported upon the supports 33 and upon the plates 33 and 36 and extending substantially between the side walls 3i is a screen cloth or bottom plate 39. This screen cloth or bottom plate 39 will be of open construction having relatively small openings of insuilicient size to` allow'the material carried in the deck chte- 33'to pass therethrough by permitting free passage of hot air upwardly through said screen cloth or plate to dry the material carried thereon. When a screen cloth is employed, side-supporting plates 43 (Fig. '1) are preferably provided adjacent the side walls 3| which are overlapped by the screen cloth 33 to prevent any leakage of material into the bottom of the deck 30.

As best seen in Figs. 3 and 4, when a screen cloth is employed, the ends thereof are rigidly attached to transversely extending tension drums 4| which extend between the side walls 3| of the deck chute 33. Each of these'drums 4| is provided with end plates 42 which are provided with central holes, each of which is adapted to receive a retaining pin 43 which is flexibly supported from a side wall 3| and which retains the drums 4| in position, while allowing free rotary movement thereof. Each of the ends of plates 42 has an extending arm 44 which is bifurcated at 45 to receive a trunnion nut carried on a threaded shaft 43. The threaded shaft 43 is mounted by spring nut means to a bracket 41 carried on the side walls 3l. It is thus evident that by adjusting the threaded shaft 46, the drum 4| may be rotated to tension the screen cloth 39.

Due to the extreme length of the screen cloth 39, proper tensioning thereof would not be accomplished merely by employing the end drums 4 i. I therefore provide intermediate clamping means for the screen cloth comprising the castings 31. AS best seen in Figs. 3, 4, 'l and 8, the clamping means 31 are spaced at intervals along the deck chute 33 and their bottoms rest on the tops of the transverse plates 36 clamping the screen cloth 39 therebetween. It is preferred that the supports 33 which extend between the side walls 3| be so formed as to arch the screen cloth between the plates 36 or between a plate 36 and a drum 4|.

This arching is illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4 of the drawings.

It will thus be evident that the cells or subcompartments 34 and 35 of the deck are provided with screen cloth areas which are maintained in proper tension and are preferably arched upwardly intermediate their ends. Wherea rigid bottom plate 39' is employed, as distinguished from a screen cloth, the arched construction provided by the supports 33 need not be employed and the plate may be substantially horizontal throughout its longitudinal length or may even be dished or concave intermediate its ends. In addition, it is also possible where the bottom plate is employed to eliminate the clamping means 31 and to fasten the plate 33 rigidly with the supports 3l al,

for example, by securing the plate 33 directly to said supports 33.

The construction of the clamping means 31 is best illustrated in Fig. 7 of the drawings. As here seen, said clamping means comprises a continuous bottom web 41 which is adapted to bear directly against the screen cloth 39 over substantially the entire transverse width oi the deck chute 33 and to clamp said screen cloth 33 against the top of the transverse plate 33, which plate 33 is bent back on itself to provide an appreciable bearing surface. A top web 48 extends across the vtop of the clamping means 31 and includes a reinforcing rib 43. Between the top web 43 and the bottom web 41 extends a plurality of legs 43' which are preferably V-shaped in section plan view to present sharp edges to the material in the deck chute 33 and provide deilectors vto the adequate openings 53 through which the material may readily flow as it progresses along the deck chute 33. Wings 5| extend from the sides of the top web 43 to provide means for clamping said clamping means 31 tb the side walls 3| of the deck chute 33. Nuts and bolts 53 are provided to co-operate with the wings 3| to clamp said clamping means 31 to the deck chute 33.

Positioned above the deck chute 33 is a hood 53 which is supported by any desired means, such as standards, and is adapted to remove the hot gases from the deck chute 33, said hood leading to the conduit D. A flexible extension 54 is provided for the hood 53 for connecting the deck chute 33 to said hood 53, yet allowing free vibratory movement of said deck chute 33 with respect to the hood 53. This extension 54 may be of lasbestos or canvas and it is rigidly attached to the hood 53 at its top and to the deck 33 at its bottom by any well-known means, such as a clamping plate and appropriate clamping bolts.

To provide for the delivery of the hot air from the blower C to the material carried by the deck chute 33, a pair oi' longitudinally extending pienum chambers 55 is provided which extend substantially the full length of the deck chute 33, one adjacent each side thereof. These chambers i5 are supplied with hot air from the blower C through lthe conduit 53 and branches 31 thereof. The plenum chambers 55 are preferably of sutilcient size that the air pressure therein is fairly equal throughout their length. Extending from the plenum chambers 55 to the deck chute 33 is a plurality of conduits 53, each including a ilexible portion 59 which may be made oi asbestos or canvas, thereby allowing free vibratory movement 55 of the deck 33 with respect to the chambers 55. Within each of the conduits 51.(Fig. 7) there is provided a valve 53 whereby the amount of hot air delivered to each of the cells or sub-compartments 34 or 35 of the deck chute 33 may be con- 60 upon leaf spring cantilevers 3| which make an acute angle with the plane of the screen cloth or bottom plate 39. This acute angular relation pro- 70 The cantilevers 3| are attached to the deck chute 75 I by bracketsBZ which are rigidly attached to said deck chute 30.` The bottoms of the cantilevers 8l are mounted upon a pair of longitudi- `take chute 10 which is adapted to feed the material to said plate 88 and, with chute 1|, adapted to deliver the dried material fromsaid deck chute 30. Appropriate flexible connecting means 12 is provided between the deck chute and the chute 1| to allow relative movement therebetween. If the chute 10 isY stationary. a similar flexible means will be provided between it and the deck chute I0. The deck chute 30 may also be provided with both side and bottom reinforcing plates 13 to increase the rigidity thereof.r

' constantly impacted by said screen cloth cr bot-A As best illustrated in Fig. 3 of the drawings, a`

Appropriate attaching plates 10 and brackets 18 are Vprovided for attaching the connecting bars 11 to the walls 3| of said deck chute 30. It is thus evident that if the armature shaft 15 of the motor 14 is vibrated along the plane of the connecting bars 11 a vibratory motion will be imparted to the deck chute 30. Due to the angular position of the cantilevers 6| with respect to said deck 30, this vibratory motion of said deck 30 will have both a vertical component and a horizontal component, which will be effective to throw or impel any material on the deck screen cloth or deck bottom plate ,into the air and to transfer any material on said screen cloth of bottom plate 30 in the direction of the arrows 80 (Figs. 3 and 4). Therefore, if any material to be dried is fed to the deck chute 80 through the intake chute 18, the deck chute 30 will conveyr said material over the deck screen cloth or deck bottom plate 09 and discharge it at the discharge chute 1|. As the material is transferred across the screen cloth or bottom plate 39, it will be tom plate 38 which will have the effect of transforming the entire bed of materials into a fluidlike bed, each particle of which is slightly spaced from each other particle, thereby exposing its entire area to the surrounding atmosphere, and

each particle of which is constantly being impacted and being rolled or turned over and over. In addition, the vibratory action of the deck chute 30 will be effective to distribute the material evenly over the entire transverse surface of the screen cloth or bottom plate 38. This prevents the pasparticle of material in the bed on the deck by direct action thereon. Due to this fluid-like condition ofthe entire bed of materials on the deck with a substantially Vuniform depth over substantially the entire area of the screen cloth or bottom plate I9, very efficient drying of the materials is effected.

'I'he detailed construction of the vibratory motor 14 will now be described and reference is made particularly to Figs. 3, 5 and 9. The main frame 8| of said motor 14 comprises a very heavy casting which has a longitudinally extending opening 82 adapted to receive a plurality of vibrator bars or spring leaves 88. These spring leaves 83 are clamped adjacent their ends between bosses 84 on said main frame 8| and clamp plates 85 which are clamped by clamp screws 80. Appropriate spacers 81 are stacked between the individual spring leaves .83 adjacent their ends whereby freedom of flexure of each ofl these spring leaves 83 will be provided. Adjacent their centers, the spring leaves 83 are rigidly clamped to the armature shaft 15 between a boss 88 and a clamp. plate 89 thereof. The clamp plate is flexibly attached to a web 80 of armature shaft 15 by a bolt 9| surrounded by a weak spring 82. Clamping studs 83 are provided for clamping theV spring leaves 83 between said boss Il and clamp 89. Appropriate spacers 94 are also stacked between the spring leaves 8l along the line of the boss 88 and clamp plate 8l. The stacked spring leaves 83 and spacers l1 and 84 .thus form a leaf spring 83'. l

Adjacent one end, the armature shaft 15 carries an armature 0l which is clamped to said shaft 15 by an appropriate clamping bracket. 95 and appropriate tie bolts 88. The armature 85' is preferably built up of laminated steel sheets. Itis evident that armature 85' is exibly mounted with respectto the main frame 8| by leaf spring 08', as shown in Figs. 3 and 5.

f' Rigidly attached to the main frame 8| is a pair of U-shapedfbrackets 01 to which isrigidly attached the stator or field structure 98 of the motor 14. Said field structure comprises a magnetic field core 88, preferably made of laminated steel plates attached `and anchored by appropriate tie bolts |00 which extend between appropriate clamping plates, said field core 9S being carried upon brackets |0| which are adjustably supported from the U-shaped brackets 3l by adjustable bolts |02. The U-shaped brackets 81 are split along their threaded portions which receive the bolts |02 and are provided with transversely extending clamp bolts |03 for clamping A the field structure 88 in a fixed position of adjustment which may be adjusted by the bolts i 02. It is evident that the bolts |02 may be adjusted to.A determine the normal air gap between the field core 90 and the armature 95. 'I'his airgap is such that the armature never strikes the core 88 during operation. The field structure 98 also includes a pair of field coils |04, one for each leg of the U-shaped field core 99, which field coils |04 may be connected either in series or in parallel, and so that the two poles adjacent the armature 85' will be of opposite polarity. An appropriateclamping plate |05 and tie bolts |08 are provided for attaching the eld coils |04 to the field structure 88. It will be evident that appropriateleads are provided for the eld coils |04 to connect said field coils to a source of alternating current and a rheostat may be connected either in series or in parallel with said field coils to adjust the strength of the current therein whereby the amplitude of vibration of the deck chute 30 and thus the rate of travel of the material may be readily adjusted.

As best illustrated in Figs. 3 and 9, the main frame 9| is mounted upon the foundation 6G by spaced standards |01 provided with appropriate attaching bases |09 and carrying coil springs |99 adapted to receive downwardly extending brackets H0, which brackets are attached to said main frame 8|.v The U-shaped brackets 91 have rigidly attached thereto a transverse bar .(Flg. 6) which is attached to said brackets 91 by appropriate U-bolts H2. The central portion of the bar is flexibly supported from the foundation 66 by a standard H2 which carries at its top the coil spring ||3 which supports the bracket ||4 rigidly attached to the center of said bar It will thus be seen that the motor 14 is flexibly supported fromV the foundation 6l by a three-point flexible suspension means and that the deck chute 30 'is also flexibly supported-upon the foundation 8E. 'I'his flexible supporting of teh entire vibratory drying conveyer A prevents may be mentioned that as the field stator of the structure 98 is so adjusted with respect toP the armature 95 that under no operating condition will there be an actual striking of the armature 95' with the poles of the core 99 of the stator or field structure 98, the vibratory movement of the deck A will be essentially sinusoidal and will be .devoid of sharp shocks.

One important feature of my invention lies in the fact that the motor 14 may be energized directly from a commercial source of alternating current which may be vof 25, 30, 50 or V60 cycles per second and no extraneous apparatus, such as a motor lgeneratorsetto actas a frequency reducer, is necessary. When the device is operated from a source of alternating'electric current of (iO-cycle frequency, the frequency of vibration of the armature '95', and consequently the frequency of vibrationof the deck chute 30, Will be 7200 cycles per minute. This is due to the fact that for each half cycle of operation the armature 95' will be attracted to the i'leld 99 and when the alternating flux in the magnetic field core 99 passes through zero the armature 95 would be effectively released and the energy which was stored up in the spring leaves 93 upon the attraction of the armature 95' will move said armature away from said eld structure l98. It is thus evident that the frequency of vibration of armature 95' will be twice the frequency of energizing current.

This ability to operate directly from the usual commercial frequencies is of greatA practical importance in eliminating costly equipment and reducing the parts requiring attention. The entire vibratory apparatus is thus entirely devoid of rotating machinery and there is no element which requires lubrication.

In addition, the high frequency of operation the transfer of any vibrations to the foundation It does not act as a dead load on the deck and therefore, regardless of load variations, the natural period of oscillation ofthe deck will be substantially constant. That is, the downward movement of the deck, or its vertically downward component of movement, is faster than the velocity at'which the material will fall. As a consequence, the material will not ride downwardly on the bottom plate 49, but said plate will strike the downwardly moving particles of material while it (the plate) is moving upwardly. The effect will be similar to a bat hitting a ball and will impel the particles of material into the air, said particles therefore only touching the bottom plate 31 at intervals to be impacted thereby and proceeding down the deck 30 in al series of hops, all the while they are rolling over and over, and constantly exposing suttantially their entire surfaces to the surrounding atmosphere, thereby aiding greatly in the drying action of the hot air flowing through the interstices of the bedvand increasing vgreatly the drying efficiency of the device and provfrom current of 60 cycles, and has an amplitude of vibration of the deck 99 of approximately al, in., the angle of inclination of the cantilevers 9| to the average surface of bottom plate 39 may be set at 10 degrees, though vusually a 15-degree angle is employed. `With a lower Voperating frequency, the angle of said cantilevers 6| to said plate 39 should be increased to maintain the condition wherein the downward movement of the bottom I9 is at a rate greater than the falling velocity of the material particles.

It is also contemplated that the motor 14 will be operated by mixed current-that is, by connecting a source of direct current in series with the source of alternating current. When this type of energization of the motor 14 is employed, the

frequency of vibration of armature 95', and thus the frequency of deck chute 90, will be the same as the frequency of the alternatingcurrent source. For example, if the alternating current source has a frequency of 60 cycles, then the frequency of vibration of deck chute l0 will be 3600 vibrations per minute rather than 7200 vibrations per minute. The frequency of vibration for alternating current sources oi' 25, 30 and 50 cycles under similar conditions will be obvious. Such a system for energizing a vibratory screen is disclosed in full detail in my patent for an Electric reciproeating motor, No. 1,846,326, issued February 23, 1932.

Another important feature of my invention lies in the mode of operation of the deck chute 30. Said deck chute 30 and all those parts which are rigidly attached thereto comprise a vibratory structure having a natural period of vibration. This period of vibration will be determined primarily by the weight of the vibratory structure and the restoring force of the leaf spring 83 and cantilevers il. The restoring force of cantilevers 9| will, in general, be relatively small. In practice it has been found to be extremely desirable to determine this natural period of vibration of the vibratory structure at a frequency which is ynear to, but slightly different from, the frequency at which the amature 95' is vibrated. For example, if the armature is vibrated by a current having a frequency of 60 cycles per second or at a frequency of 7200 cycles per minute, the natural period `of the body is preferably selected -at a value slightly above or slightly below 7200 cycles vper minute, for example,- at 700001' '1400 cycles per minute. It is entirely possible to 4operate the device by determining thenatural period-of vibration aty exactly the period of vibration of the armature 95which,jin the example given, would 4be 7200 cycles per minute.r It' has been discovered, however, that if the period of vibration of said vibratory body is in exact resonance'with the frequency of vibration of the armature 99', the amplitude of vibration ofthe deck chute 30 will vary appreciably with the load which is placed in said deck chute or, inother words, with. the

causing damage to either or both if'exact resonance is maintained. This is due to the fact that l when a vibratory body is operating at itsl natural frequency the energy necessary to vibrate said body is represented only by the frictional losses thereof and there is a possibility of the amplitude when the actual physical loadfor example, the

material carried on the screen clothr or bottom` of vibration becoming unduly large. However, by vibrating -the vibratory structure at aperiod slightly diiferent from its natural period, veither above or below the natural period,` the vibrations thereof are forced'and there is always a minimumv amount of artificial load onsaid vibratory structure. This prevents any damage to the motor plate 39-is reduced to zero. In addition, it means that the vibrations in the actualV physical load represented by the material carried on the n screen cloth or bottom plate 39 will not have a great effect on" the amplitude of vibration of the deck 30.'4 As a consequence, kthe amplitude of' `vibration of said deck chute 30 will be substantially constant regardless of the actual physical load carried on the screen cloth or bottom plate 39.` Furthermore, by operating the vibratory structure at a frequencywhich is near its natural period, the

amount of energy necessary to vibrate said vibratory structure is very materially reduced over what it would be if said vibratory structure were not operated near its natural period but was operated at a frequency distantly removed therefrom. This results in a vgreat saving in operating" costs due to the use of a small amount of current and` makes possible the employment of a motor 'Il which is of smaller size than would otherwise be possible. If the deck chute 30 is of such size that a single motor 14 willnot sufllceto vibrate it, a pluralityof such motors may be employed and said motors will be operated `in synchronism and To review the operation of the device, hot granular material will be fed into the deck chute 30 from the intake chute 1li. As the material is received on the screen cloth or kbottom plate 39, it will be subjected to a vibratoryl action due to the vibratory movement yof said deck chute 30 and of the screen cloth or bottom plate 39 under the action ofthe motor 14. This vibratory movement"wiil have both a vertical component and horizontal component and will `be effectiveY to fluidize the entirebed causing' the bed to dis? tribute uniformly over the entire area of screen cloth or bottom plate 39. Due to the particular vibratory' movement above mentioned, the individual particles-of material will be impacted by the screen cloth or bottom plate 39 and thrown into the air whereby they will be constantly turning over and over and, in addition, will be entirely separated from each other particle in the mobile bed.- The hot drying gas will iiow upwardly through the screen cloth or bottom plate 39 and through the interstioes of the bed and will effectivelyr dry each individual particle of` the bed of materials. 'I'his action will be. continued throughout the length of the deck vlill and by the time the materialhas reached the discharge end of said deck it will be completely dried, whereupon it will be discharged into the chute 1 I.

As was previously mentioned, a screen cloth may be employed at 39 to support the material being dried and conveyed or a'perforate plate may be employed in its stead. In Figs. 12 to 21, inclusive, there are illustrated a' number of different forms of plates which may form a supporting means 39 for the bed of material. The drawings a brief description of each will beV necessary.

In the deck illustrated in Figs. 12, 13 and 14, a

"continuous plate is provided which extends `between the side walls 3| of the deck chute and has struck out louvers I I5 which provide air openings IIB which face down stream of the direction of vthe flow of the material, as indicated in Fig. 12. This allows free passageof the air through the plate 39 and prevents any tendency for the material to flow downwardly through said plate 39. The openings I I6 are formed by the severance of the bed plate 39 along transverse edges which may be cut by a stamping. Figs. 15, 16 and 17 show a somewhat similar bottom plate 39 except that the louvers II1 have sharp ridges in the backs thereof, formed by means of a cuttingand stamping die.v

In Figs. 18, 19 and 20, the deck openings are provided by a plurality4 of inclined plates I I8, the

edges of which are vertically spaced and slightly overlapping. In the form illustrated in Fig. 20, the platesl I9' are made Z-shaped more effectively to prevent certain materials from falling through the deck and vatthe same time providing a circultous path for the 110W of hot air to prolong its contact with the plates.

form, and each smaller in diameter than any of the particles to be conveyed.

As illustrated in Figs. 22, 23 and 24, laterally extending tilted plates II9 are provided, which plates are corrugated.' as seen in lateral cross section, as bestseen in Fig. 24` Such longitudinal corrugation of either a continuous or a sectional deck serves` to present to thelmaterial a largefdrying area in a small amount of space. This construction also separates the material into several parts, each part having an inverted triangular cross-sectional area. Hence, all material is in close contact with the cooling surface. The material will now in the directiony indicated by arrow II9\. Due` to 'the overlapping of the tilted plates IIS, the material will not pass through the bottom plate 39 but hot air will be free to pass upwardly therethrough and through the material carried thereby. f

It is evident` that any of thexbottom plate `structures of Figs. .12 to 21, inclusive, maybe substituted for the screen clothand, as was previously set forth, under these conditions the screen cloth clamping means 31 may be omitted and the arched construction of the cells or subcompartments 34 and 35 of the deck chute 30 may also be omitted, as above setfforth.

"are substantially.self-explanatory'and thus only Referring to Figs. 10 and 11, there is illustrated a modified form of vibratcry drying conveyer comprising my invention. This device cornprises a deck chute |20. A hood I2I is also provided which is attached to said deck chute by a flexible connection |22. An appropriate feed chute |23 and a material receiving hopper |24 are provided. In this form of my invention, the deck chute |20 is provided with downwardly extending side plates |20 which form a hot. air receiving chamber.

A plurality of vibratory motors |20 is provided for vibrating the deck chute |20. These vibratory motors 20 are generally of the construction'of the vibratory motors 14, above described in detail, except in such particulars as will now be pointed out. Said motors |20 are provided with spiral or coil springs |02.

armature shafts i 21 which may be directly attached to the side plates |20 through a T-shaped head similar to the T-shaped head 10 of the motor 14. In addition, the armature shaft |21 carries a bracket |20 which extends rearwardly of the leaf spring |29 of the motor and which is attached to the deck chute |20. The entire deck chute |20 is supported by the armature shaft |21 as there is an absence of any cantilever supporting means therefor similar to the cantilevers 0| of the device of Figs. 2, 3 and 4. 'I'he vibratory motors |20 are supported from the foundation |00 by spring-mounted brackets |0| carried upon The brackets |0| are rigidly attached to the main frames |00 of the motors |20.

A single plenum chamber |04 is provided for furnishing the hot air to the deck chute |00 and a pair of laterally extending conduits |00 is pro- -fvided for connecting the plenum chamber |04 to kthe lower side of the deck |09. Flexible connecting means ,|00 are provided between the conduits v|00 and the deck |20. Air control dampers |01 u x are provided for each of the conduits |00 to control the now of hot air to the deck chute |20.

it is to be noted from Fig.. 11 that the bottom wall of the conduit |00 is tapered downwardly and leads to a valve |00 whereby any liquid which passes through ,the screen cloth or bottom plate |00.of the deck chute |20 maybe readily removedl or drained therefrom.

The operation of the device oi Figs. l0 and l1 is essentiallythat described in connection withv the device disclosed in Figs. 2, v:land 4 and thus neednot be repeated. The essential differences are 'obvious and include the-supporting of the deck chute |20 directly from the motor |20 andl the provision of the flow of hot air upwardly from' beneath the deck |00 rather than into the sides of chambers below deck 00. This also allows :for the use of the single plenum chamber |04 in lllgs.v l0 and 11 rather than the two plenum chambers 00, 00 in Fig. 8.

It will be evident that the moimting `ofthe `deck chute |20 of the device of Figs. 10 and 11 may be similar to that of the deck chute 00 of Figs. 2, 3 and 4 and the operating motors of the device of Figs. l0 and '11 may also be similar in construction and mounting to the operating motor 14 of the device of Figs. 2, 3 and 4. Conversely the deck chute 00 of the device of Figs. 2, 3 and 4 may be mounted directly upon a plurality of motors in a manner similar to that in which deck chute |20 is mounted on the motor |20. Itis to be noted that in this type of mounting the amature |21 is attached to the deck |20, both forwardly and rearwardly of the leaf spring |20`by the T-shaped head of the armature |21 and by the brackets |20, respectively, thereby reducing the static bending moment on the leaf the deck |20 to buckle by distributing the vi- 4bratory forces over a larger area thereof.

It is also Ito be noted that bottom plate or deck |00 is illustrated in Fig. l0 as dished or concave. This form may also be usedin the 4drier disclosed in Figs. 2, 3 and 4 and hasthe desirable .characteristic of aiding the travel of the mateterlal thereacross at the feed end where it is wet, the tending to causeit to travel slowly at the discharge end where `it is dry and travels more readily.

- It may also be mentioned that where a plurality of motors, as motors |20, are employed, the

longitudinal axis ofthe armatures |21 thereof` pass through the centers of percussion of selected `portions of the deck chute |20.

`It is also contemplated that either of the devices of my invention be employed as a cooler. When so employed. hot granular material maybe fed thereto through chute 10 or |20 and instead of supplying heated air thereto, either cooled or ambient temperature air will be supplied. It is also possible to use an imperforate bottom plate 00, either dat or corrugated. which is heated by hot air or any other heated medium and when this type of bottom is employed sour-'- rent of dry air may be passed over the top surface of the material being dried, thereby assisting in drying and carrying oi! moisturey vapors. It is evident that a very emcient cooling means andmethod will be presented thereby.

It is also to be noted that when either of the devices is operating as a drier. the material supporting bottom 00 or |00 not only allows hot air to pass through the bed of materials but the contacting of the material particles with this. hot bottom surface will also aid in the drying action. Likewise, when the device is operating as a cooler, the contacting of the material particles with this cooled bottom surface will also ,aid in the cooling action. l l

Obviously those skilled in the srt may make various changes in the details and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims hereto appended, and I wish therefore notl tobe restricted to the precise construction herein disclosed.

Havingthus described and shown an embodiment o1' my invention, what I desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United State is:

1. In a vibratory conditioner and conveyor, the combination withfa deck having amsterial supporting bottom formed of screen cloth, of a base,

means including inclined cantilevers connecting.

said deck land base for vibrating said deck at s high frequency and to'impart both a vertical and a horizontal component of -movement thereto whereby granular materialV thereon will be conveyed while the particles thereof form a fluid bed. and means for conditioning said particles while being conveyed as aforesaid. said means comprising 'a source of conditioning vgases and conduits for directing said gases through said iluidized bed.

2. In a vibratory drier and conveyor, the com bination with s'. deck comprising a longitudinally extending trough, of a perforate material supporting member extending above the bottom of--.

said trough and between the side walls thereof, drying means sdaptedto directhot gases through ,oomso said member, means comprising inclined leaf springs for supporting said deck for vibrating movement whereby'it will havedboth a vertical and a horizontal component of movement when vibrated, and a vibrating motor for vibrating said deck, said vibratory motor being constructed Y and arranged to vibrate' said deck at a frequency not less than 3000 cycles per minute;

3. Clamping means lor a screen cloth comprising spaced upper and lower webs, spaced legs extending between said webs forming openings adapted to permit free movement of material therethrough, and attaching wings extending laterally of said upper web.

4. In a vibratory conditioner and conveyer. the combination with a deck having a material supporting bottom, of means for conditioning the temperature of said material, means forsupporting said deck for vibratory movement, said deck and supporting means comprising a vibratory structure having a natural period of vibration substantially independent oi the weight of the load thereon and not less than 6900v cycles per minute or more than '7500 cycles per minute, a vibratory non-rotary continuous circuit electric motor for vibrating said deck at a frequency of '1200 cycles per minute, and means to supply alternating current of 60 cycle frequency to said motor.

5. In a vibratory conditioner and conveyer, the combination with a deck having a material supporting bottom, of means for conditioning the temperature of said material, means for supporting said deck for vibratory movement,fsald deck and supporting means comprising a vibratory structure. having a natural period of vibration substantially independent of the weight of the load thereon and not less than 5700 cycles per minute or more than 6300 cycles per minute. a vibratory non-rotary continuous circuit electric motor for vibrating said deck at a frequency of 6000cycles per minute, and means to supply alternating current of 50 cycle frequency to said motor.

JAMES A. FLINT. 

